As part of my engagement in The Green Fellows Programme 2024/25 at The Green Institute, I had the privilege of leading a team to promote sustainability education in two secondary schools in Ilorin, Kwara State. This initiative aimed to inspire young minds, instilling the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in their daily lives.

Bringing Sustainability to the Classroom

Between February 19-26, 2025, our team visited As-Sunnah College and Community Secondary School in Oke-Odo, Tanke, Ilorin, where we conducted engaging sessions to raise awareness on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our activities were interactive, insightful, and centered on fostering a sense of responsibility among students toward a greener future.

Key Activities and Discussions:

✅ Interactive Teaching Sessions – We facilitated discussions on waste management, pollution control, and renewable energy sources, making sustainability concepts relatable and actionable for students.

✅ SDG Awareness – We focused on four key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to everyday life:

SDG 4 (Quality Education): Emphasizing education as the foundation of sustainability and other SDGs.
SDG 7 (Clean Energy): Highlighting energy conservation and the benefits of renewable energy, such as reducing pollution and preventing respiratory diseases.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Encouraging waste management and urban cleanliness through collective action.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): Teaching students how reducing carbon footprints and proper waste disposal can positively impact the environment.

✅ The Green Pledge Ceremony – Students took a pledge to keep their environment clean, avoid littering, and embrace sustainable habits. Their commitment was echoed in the words: "I will never drop that waste on the floor... Above all, I pledge to be Green."

✅ Engaging Q&A Sessions – Students actively participated in interactive discussions, asking thought-provoking questions and demonstrating their understanding of sustainability concepts. We also posed questions at the end of each session to reinforce learning, with outstanding students receiving recognition for their engagement.

✅ Rewards and Recognition – To encourage active participation, students who showed enthusiasm and curiosity were rewarded with small tokens of appreciation.

Impact and Reflections

The enthusiasm displayed by the students was truly inspiring. Many expressed a strong desire to adopt better waste disposal habits and advocate for sustainability in their schools and communities. The Green Pledge further solidified their commitment to making a positive environmental impact.

We also observed that some teachers took an interest in the Green Institute’s mission and inquired about joining the Green Fellows Programme 2025. The registration forms were made available to them, expanding the network of environmental stewards.

Acknowledgments

This outreach would not have been possible without the dedication of my volunteer team members, Abdullahi Tawfiq Salman and Faruq Jumu'ah, who played a significant role in making the sessions impactful. Their contributions, alongside the cooperation of the participating schools, reinforced the power of collective action in driving sustainability education forward.

Looking Ahead

Education is a powerful tool in shaping environmentally responsible citizens. Through initiatives like this, we are nurturing a generation that understands the urgency of climate action and the importance of sustainable living. I look forward to continuing this journey, expanding our outreach, and inspiring more young minds to become champions for a greener future.

Together, we can make sustainability a way of life!